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| {{short description|2020 American political comedy film written and directed by Jon Stewart}} | |||
| {{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| | name = Irresistible | | name = Irresistible | ||
| | image = Irresistible 2020 poster.jpg | | image = Irresistible 2020 poster.jpg | ||
| | alt = The upper half of the face of a man wearing a stars and stripes top hat. | |||
| | alt = | |||
| | caption = |
| caption = Official release poster | ||
| | director = ] | | director = ] | ||
| | producer = {{Plainlist| | | producer = {{Plainlist| | ||
| Line 23: | Line 24: | ||
| | cinematography = Bobby Bukowski | | cinematography = Bobby Bukowski | ||
| | editing = {{Plainlist| | | editing = {{Plainlist| | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * Mike Selemon | * Mike Selemon | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| | studio = {{Plainlist| | | studio = {{Plainlist| | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| ⚫ | * ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| | distributor = ] | | distributor = ] (United States)<br />]<ref name=focus/> (International) | ||
| | released = {{Film date|2020|6|26|United States}} | | released = {{Film date|2020|6|26|United States}} | ||
| | runtime = 102 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/irresistible-2020|title=IRRESISTIBLE (15)|work=]|date=June 6, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| | runtime = | |||
| | country = United States | | country = United States | ||
| | language = English | | language = English | ||
| | budget = | | budget = | ||
| | gross = $471,962<!--$100,000+$371,962--><ref name=DeadlineGrosses/><ref name=BOM>{{cite web|url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt9076562/?ref_=bo_rl_ti |title= Irresistible (2020) |website= ] |access-date= November 12, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| | gross = | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''''Irresistible''''' is |
'''''Irresistible''''' is a 2020 American ] ] written and directed by ]. It stars ] in the lead role, ], ], ], ], and ]. The film follows a ] strategist who tries to help a candidate win a local election in a small ] town. Originally set for a theatrical release in May 2020, the film was delayed due to the ], and then released on ] and ] on June 26, 2020, by ]. It received mixed reviews from critics, who called it "a soft political satire". | ||
| ==Plot== | |||
| It is scheduled to be released on VOD on June 26, 2020, by ]. | |||
| Plunged into despair by the results of the ], veteran ] campaign consultant Gary Zimmer is shown a viral video of retired ] Col. Jack Hastings giving a speech in support of the illegal immigrant population of his hometown, the fictional town of Deerlaken, ]. | |||
| ==Premise== | |||
| A ] political strategist works the campaign for a retired veteran’s bid for Mayor of a small right-wing ] town. After the Democratic National Committee's top strategist Gary (Steve Carell) sees a video of a retired Marine Colonel (Chris Cooper) standing up for the rights of his town's undocumented workers, Gary believes he has found the key to winning back the Heartland. However, the Republican National Committee counters him by sending in his brilliant nemesis Faith (Rose Byrne) and a local race quickly becomes a fight for the soul of America. | |||
| Calculating that getting Hastings elected as a Democrat in Deerlaken's upcoming mayoral election will help him convince the American people in the heartland to vote Democrat in the next presidential election, Zimmer travels to Wisconsin to persuade Hastings to run. Arriving in Deerlaken, Gary experiences the vast cultural divide between his home of ], and the townspeople's more rural mannerisms and political beliefs. | |||
| Gary soon meets Hastings and his daughter Diana and pitches his idea. Hastings initially declines, considering himself more of a conservative and having no real interest in politics, but later relents and agrees to run under the condition that Gary serve as his campaign manager. Hastings recruits his friends and neighbors as volunteers for the campaign. | |||
| However, setbacks soon arise such as limited ], ], ], and the fact that the incumbent mayor, Braun, is being funded by the ]. The RNC also sends Faith Brewster, Gary's nemesis, to counter Gary. | |||
| As the race heats up, Gary takes Jack to ] so they can recruit funds for the campaign to match Faith's money and resources. Jack gives a powerful speech to the possible donors about how he needs their help for his small town, which inspires Gary. Their donations allow Gary to upgrade their campaigning methods. | |||
| Soon the election polls show the two candidates neck-and-neck, although the Hastings campaign takes a dive when one of Gary's team members advertises a pro-] platform to a group of single women who turn out to be nuns. When Gary starts berating his teammates, Diana convinces him to apologize and that if he is going to run her father's campaign, he needs to be nice. | |||
| When it starts to look like Faith and Braun are going to win, Gary tries to convince Jack and Diana to play dirty and start exploiting Braun's skeletons. Diana is horrified that Gary would play dirty and secretly goes to Braun for advice. The two decide to secretly reveal a bigger scandal about Braun so Gary will not go after Braun's brother, which was his original plan. The scandal, however, proves to be false. | |||
| On Election Day, almost no one votes (only two votes are cast, with one vote going to each candidate, resulting in a tie), which confuses both Gary and Faith. It quickly becomes clear that the election was actually a setup. Diana reveals she masterminded the entire scheme, filming the video of her father's immigration speech (which was carefully scripted) so that the Democrats and Republicans would pour thousands of dollars into the election; the town has been quietly siphoning the money to get through its financial troubles due to the recent closure of a nearby military base. | |||
| Gary is shocked that Diana would play him and she then counters by explaining the town had no choice but to set him up because D.C. politicians play small towns like theirs all the time while doing nothing to help when times are tough. When Gary reveals that he has feelings for Diana, she rejects him, pointing to their age difference. | |||
| Later, Diana becomes the mayor of Deerlaken after a special election. | |||
| The film ends with three scenes leading into each other, each with its own set of cast credits: Gary and Diana embrace at a construction site for a new public building; until Gary is snapped out of that thought to reveal Gary and Ann, the pastry chef, in bed, discussing plans for a new bakery; until Gary finally snaps out of that to show Gary and Faith kiss and discuss their investment portfolio in their kitchen. | |||
| A ] shows a short interview with ], an official of the ], discussing the shortcomings of oversight over elections fund-raising. The screen shows the title IRRESISTIBLE fading into the word RESIST. | |||
| ==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
| {{castlist| | |||
| *] as Gary Zimmer | |||
| *] as |
* ] as Gary Zimmer | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Faith Brewster | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Marine Colonel Jack Hastings | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Diana Hastings | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Kurt Farlander | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Tina De Tessant | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Big Mike | ||
| * ] as Lowell | |||
| *] as Mayor Braun | |||
| *] as |
* ] as Mayor Braun | ||
| *] as |
* ] as Evan | ||
| * |
* ] as Babs Garnett | ||
| * ] as Elton Chambers | |||
| ⚫ | *Will McLaughlin as Captain Ortiz | ||
| * Christian Adam as Michael | |||
| ⚫ | * Will McLaughlin as Captain Ortiz | ||
| * Jason Vendryes as YAWM | |||
| * ] as Hofbrau Bar Fly. This was Smith's final film before his death in 2021. | |||
| * ] as herself | |||
| * ] as himself | |||
| * ] as himself | |||
| * ] as herself | |||
| }} | |||
| ==Production== | ==Production== | ||
| It was announced in October 2018 that ] was planning his next directorial effort, with ] in talks to star, contingent on scheduling.<ref></ref> In March 2019, ] entered negotiations to join the film.<ref></ref> That same month, ] joined the cast of the film, with ] acquiring distribution rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/jon-stewart-steve-carell-rose-byrne-chris-cooper-irresistible-focus-features-brad-pitt-planb-1202578124/|title=Chris Cooper Joins Steve Carell & Rose Byrne In Jon |
It was announced in October 2018 that ] was planning his next directorial effort, with ] in talks to star, contingent on scheduling.<ref></ref> In March 2019, ] entered negotiations to join the film.<ref></ref> That same month, ] joined the cast of the film, with ] acquiring distribution rights.<ref name=focus>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/jon-stewart-steve-carell-rose-byrne-chris-cooper-irresistible-focus-features-brad-pitt-planb-1202578124/|title=Chris Cooper Joins Steve Carell & Rose Byrne In Jon Stewart's Campaign Trail Comedy 'Irresistible' For Focus & Plan B|website=]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, ], ], and ] joined the cast of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/mackenzie-davis-jon-stewart-irresistible-focus-features-1202593002/|title=Mackenzie Davis Joins Jon Stewart-Directed Comedy 'Irresistible'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=April 10, 2019|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwk-gz8nK5H/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Bwk-gz8nK5H |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=registration|title=I am so lucky. I get to act with this funny guy and be directed by this OTHER funny guy. #agoodday #movielife #stevecarell #johnstewert|website=]|first=Debra|last=Messing|date=April 22, 2019|access-date=June 3, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ], ], ], and ] joined in May.<ref></ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/natasha-lyonne-jon-stewarts-irresistible-exclusive-1203210163/|title=Natasha Lyonne Joins Jon Stewart's Political Drama 'Irresistible' (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2019-05-09|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1066609-jon-stewarts-irresistible-adds-natasha-lyonne|title=Jon Stewart's Irresistible Adds Natasha Lyonne|website=ComingSoon.net|first=Grant|last=Hermanns|date=May 9, 2019|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> In June 2019, ] joined the cast of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/brent-sexton-jon-stewart-irresistible-patricia-de-leon-centurion-the-dancing-stallion-1202623893/|title=Brent Sexton Joins Jon Stewart's' Irresistible' Film; Patricia De Leon Cast In 'Centurion the Dancing Stallion'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=June 3, 2019|access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| Production |
Production began in April 2019 In ], Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegww.com/exclusive-steve-carell-jon-stewarts-irresistible-currently-eyeing-april-22nd-production-start-in-atlanta/|title=EXCLUSIVE: STEVE CARELL & JON STEWART'S 'IRRESISTIBLE' CURRENTLY EYEING APRIL 22ND PRODUCTION START IN ATLANTA|website=Omega Underground|first=Jacob|last=Tyler|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=March 14, 2019}}</ref> Filming took place mostly in Rockmart, Georgia. | ||
| ==Release== | ==Release== | ||
| The film was released ] in the United States through ], as well as in ] on June 26, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2020/05/jon-stewart-political-comedy-irresistible-heading-to-pvod-this-summer-1202941640/|title= Jon Stewart Political Comedy 'Irresistible' Heading To PVOD This Summer|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=May 22, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Santikos">{{cite web|url=https://www.santikos.com/movie-info/irresistible/|title=Irresistible Showtimes|website=]|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627170136/https://www.santikos.com/movie-info/irresistible/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was originally scheduled for a wide theatrical release on May 29, 2020, but due to ] that started in mid-March because of the ] restrictions, it was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/irresistible-movie-release-date-jon-stewart-steve-carell-focus-features-1202838237/|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|title=Jon Stewart's Next Movie 'Irresistible' Gets Focus Features Release Date|date=January 22, 2020|publisher=]|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/jon-stewarts-political-comedy-irresistible-to-debut-on-demand-1234614270/|title=Jon Stewart's Political Comedy 'Irresistible' to Debut on Demand|date=22 May 2020|publisher=]|access-date=23 May 2020}}</ref> | |||
| The film made an estimated $100,000 from 238 theaters in its domestic opening weekend.<ref name=DeadlineGrosses>{{Cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2020/06/weekend-box-office-zootopia-avengers-jon-stewartirresistible-1202974215/ |title= 'Zootopia' Leads At Weekend Box Office Still Hampered By COVID-19 |author= Anthony D'Alessandro |website= ]|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=June 30, 2020}}</ref> It was released in France on July 1, 2020, where it grossed $52,673 from 117 theaters.<ref name=BOM/> | |||
| == Reception == | |||
| === VOD sales === | |||
| In its debut weekend, ''Irresistible'' was the top-rented film on the ] and fourth on ] (although since the service reports totals by the week it was likely first over the three-day frame).<ref>{{Cite web |title= Weekend Box Office: Jon Stewart, Will Ferrell, And The Most-Watched Movies At Home Over The Weekend |url= https://uproxx.com/movies/my-spy-box-office-irresistible-eurovision/ |last=Roweles |first=Dustin |website=]|date=June 28, 2020|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= 'King of Staten Island' Continues Universal's VOD Dominance as 'Eurovision' Scores at Netflix|url= https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/king-of-staten-island-continues-universals-vod-dominance-as-eurovision-scores-at-netflix-1234570397/ |last= Brueggemann |first=Tom |website=]|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> In its second weekend the film fell to fourth iTunes and fifth on FandangoNow, but ranked first on ]'s weekly chart,<ref>{{Cite web |title= 'Hamilton' Rules Disney+ Over July 4, but the VOD Success Story Is Rod Lurie's 'The Outpost' |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/hamilton-rules-disney-over-july-4-but-the-vod-success-story-is-rod-luries-the-outpost-1234571459/ |last= Brueggemann |first=Tom |website=]|date=July 7, 2020|access-date=July 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Weekend Box Office: 'Hamilton' And The Most-Watched Movies At Home Over The Weekend |url= https://uproxx.com/movies/box-office-hamilton-force-of-nature/ |last=Roweles |first=Dustin |website=]|date=July 5, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> then placed sixth on Fandango and 10th on Spectrum the week after that.<ref>{{Cite web |title= 'The Old Guard' Opens to Number One on Netflix as 'The Outpost' Flies High Again on VOD|url= https://www.indiewire.com/2020/07/the-old-guard-outpost-vod-box-office-1234573047/ |last= Brueggemann |first=Tom |website=]|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, '']'' said the film was the eighth-most popular PVOD title amid the ].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/skipping-theaters-hollywood-studios-weigh-risks-of-pvod |title= Skipping Theaters? Hollywood Studios Weigh Risks of PVOD |website= ] |author= Pamela McClintock |date= October 23, 2020 |access-date=October 25, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| === Critical response === | |||
| On ] website ], the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads, "A soft political satire that proves frustratingly less than the sum of its talented parts, ''Irresistible'' is anything but."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/irresistible_2020|title=Irresistible (2020)|website=]|publisher=]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}</ref> At ], the film has a weighted average score of 47 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=Irresistible Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/irresistible |website=]|access-date=August 31, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ] of '']'' said that "''Irresistible'' scores points yet feels behind the curve. You wish it were a bold satirical bulletin, or maybe just Stewart's pricelessly amusing version of a ] movie. Instead, the film is a lot like a politician: It makes a big show of leading the viewer, but without rocking the boat."<ref>{{cite web |date=June 22, 2020 |last= Gleiberman |first= Owen |author-link= Owen Gleiberman |title= Jon Stewart's 'Irresistible': Film Review|url= https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/irresistible-review-jon-stewart-steve-carrell-1234636746/ |work= Variety|access-date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> David Ehrlich of ] gave the film a "C" and, although praising Byrne's performance, wrote: "A Capra-esque moral comedy that unfolds with all the subtlety of sky writing and none of the same panache, ''Irresistible'' is a perverse bid for clarity that feels like it was left behind like a relic from some long-distant past."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ehrlich |first1=David |title= 'Irresistible' Review: Jon Stewart Returns with a Toothless Political Satire Out of Touch with Trump Era |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2020/06/irresistible-review-jon-stewart-1234568728/ |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=] |date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| The '']''{{'}}s G. Allen Johnson called it "perhaps the most lamebrain, ham-fisted and insulting movie of the year".<ref name="SFChronJohnson06232020">Johnson, G. Allen. , '']'', June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.</ref> | |||
| ] gave a fairly positive review of the film in '']'', comparing it to '']'' and '']'', saying: "there's something reassuringly nostalgic about ''Irresistible''... Stewart is back on home ground, opening with a TV show-style segment about the falsehoods of the 'spin room' ('I look forward to lying to you in the future') that we now take for granted."<ref name="MarkKermodeGuardian2020">Kermode, Mark , '']'', June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 74: | Line 124: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * {{Official website|https://www.focusfeatures.com/irresistible}} | * {{Official website|https://www.focusfeatures.com/irresistible}} | ||
| * {{ |
* {{IMDb title|9076562}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 22:15, 9 January 2025
2020 American political comedy film written and directed by Jon Stewart| Irresistible | |
|---|---|
 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Jon Stewart |
| Written by | Jon Stewart |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bobby Bukowski |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Bryce Dessner |
| Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Focus Features (United States) Universal Pictures (International) |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $471,962 |
Irresistible is a 2020 American political comedy film written and directed by Jon Stewart. It stars Steve Carell in the lead role, Chris Cooper, Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace, Natasha Lyonne, and Rose Byrne. The film follows a Democratic strategist who tries to help a candidate win a local election in a small right-wing town. Originally set for a theatrical release in May 2020, the film was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and then released on Premium VOD and selected theaters on June 26, 2020, by Focus Features. It received mixed reviews from critics, who called it "a soft political satire".
Plot
Plunged into despair by the results of the 2016 presidential election, veteran Democratic Party campaign consultant Gary Zimmer is shown a viral video of retired Marine Col. Jack Hastings giving a speech in support of the illegal immigrant population of his hometown, the fictional town of Deerlaken, Wisconsin.
Calculating that getting Hastings elected as a Democrat in Deerlaken's upcoming mayoral election will help him convince the American people in the heartland to vote Democrat in the next presidential election, Zimmer travels to Wisconsin to persuade Hastings to run. Arriving in Deerlaken, Gary experiences the vast cultural divide between his home of Washington, D.C., and the townspeople's more rural mannerisms and political beliefs.
Gary soon meets Hastings and his daughter Diana and pitches his idea. Hastings initially declines, considering himself more of a conservative and having no real interest in politics, but later relents and agrees to run under the condition that Gary serve as his campaign manager. Hastings recruits his friends and neighbors as volunteers for the campaign.
However, setbacks soon arise such as limited Wi-Fi, xenophobia, social conservatism, and the fact that the incumbent mayor, Braun, is being funded by the Republican National Committee. The RNC also sends Faith Brewster, Gary's nemesis, to counter Gary.
As the race heats up, Gary takes Jack to NYC so they can recruit funds for the campaign to match Faith's money and resources. Jack gives a powerful speech to the possible donors about how he needs their help for his small town, which inspires Gary. Their donations allow Gary to upgrade their campaigning methods.
Soon the election polls show the two candidates neck-and-neck, although the Hastings campaign takes a dive when one of Gary's team members advertises a pro-contraceptive platform to a group of single women who turn out to be nuns. When Gary starts berating his teammates, Diana convinces him to apologize and that if he is going to run her father's campaign, he needs to be nice.
When it starts to look like Faith and Braun are going to win, Gary tries to convince Jack and Diana to play dirty and start exploiting Braun's skeletons. Diana is horrified that Gary would play dirty and secretly goes to Braun for advice. The two decide to secretly reveal a bigger scandal about Braun so Gary will not go after Braun's brother, which was his original plan. The scandal, however, proves to be false.
On Election Day, almost no one votes (only two votes are cast, with one vote going to each candidate, resulting in a tie), which confuses both Gary and Faith. It quickly becomes clear that the election was actually a setup. Diana reveals she masterminded the entire scheme, filming the video of her father's immigration speech (which was carefully scripted) so that the Democrats and Republicans would pour thousands of dollars into the election; the town has been quietly siphoning the money to get through its financial troubles due to the recent closure of a nearby military base.
Gary is shocked that Diana would play him and she then counters by explaining the town had no choice but to set him up because D.C. politicians play small towns like theirs all the time while doing nothing to help when times are tough. When Gary reveals that he has feelings for Diana, she rejects him, pointing to their age difference.
Later, Diana becomes the mayor of Deerlaken after a special election.
The film ends with three scenes leading into each other, each with its own set of cast credits: Gary and Diana embrace at a construction site for a new public building; until Gary is snapped out of that thought to reveal Gary and Ann, the pastry chef, in bed, discussing plans for a new bakery; until Gary finally snaps out of that to show Gary and Faith kiss and discuss their investment portfolio in their kitchen.
A post-credits scene shows a short interview with Trevor Potter, an official of the Federal Election Commission, discussing the shortcomings of oversight over elections fund-raising. The screen shows the title IRRESISTIBLE fading into the word RESIST.
Cast
- Steve Carell as Gary Zimmer
- Rose Byrne as Faith Brewster
- Chris Cooper as Marine Colonel Jack Hastings
- Mackenzie Davis as Diana Hastings
- Topher Grace as Kurt Farlander
- Natasha Lyonne as Tina De Tessant
- Will Sasso as Big Mike
- C.J. Wilson as Lowell
- Brent Sexton as Mayor Braun
- Alan Aisenberg as Evan
- Debra Messing as Babs Garnett
- Bill Irwin as Elton Chambers
- Christian Adam as Michael
- Will McLaughlin as Captain Ortiz
- Jason Vendryes as YAWM
- William Smith as Hofbrau Bar Fly. This was Smith's final film before his death in 2021.
- Candy Crowley as herself
- Trevor Potter as himself
- Joe Scarborough as himself
- Mika Brzezinski as herself
Production
It was announced in October 2018 that Jon Stewart was planning his next directorial effort, with Steve Carell in talks to star, contingent on scheduling. In March 2019, Rose Byrne entered negotiations to join the film. That same month, Chris Cooper joined the cast of the film, with Focus Features acquiring distribution rights. In April 2019, Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace, and Debra Messing joined the cast of the film. Will Sasso, CJ Wilson, Natasha Lyonne, and Alan Aisenberg joined in May. In June 2019, Brent Sexton joined the cast of the film.
Production began in April 2019 In Atlanta, Georgia. Filming took place mostly in Rockmart, Georgia.
Release
The film was released digitally in the United States through Premium VOD, as well as in selected theaters on June 26, 2020. It was originally scheduled for a wide theatrical release on May 29, 2020, but due to movie theater closures that started in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, it was cancelled.
The film made an estimated $100,000 from 238 theaters in its domestic opening weekend. It was released in France on July 1, 2020, where it grossed $52,673 from 117 theaters.
Reception
VOD sales
In its debut weekend, Irresistible was the top-rented film on the iTunes Store and fourth on FandangoNow (although since the service reports totals by the week it was likely first over the three-day frame). In its second weekend the film fell to fourth iTunes and fifth on FandangoNow, but ranked first on Spectrum's weekly chart, then placed sixth on Fandango and 10th on Spectrum the week after that. In October 2020, The Hollywood Reporter said the film was the eighth-most popular PVOD title amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Critical response
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 41% based on 227 reviews, with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "A soft political satire that proves frustratingly less than the sum of its talented parts, Irresistible is anything but." At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 47 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Owen Gleiberman of Variety said that "Irresistible scores points yet feels behind the curve. You wish it were a bold satirical bulletin, or maybe just Stewart's pricelessly amusing version of a Christopher Guest movie. Instead, the film is a lot like a politician: It makes a big show of leading the viewer, but without rocking the boat." David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a "C" and, although praising Byrne's performance, wrote: "A Capra-esque moral comedy that unfolds with all the subtlety of sky writing and none of the same panache, Irresistible is a perverse bid for clarity that feels like it was left behind like a relic from some long-distant past."
The San Francisco Chronicle's G. Allen Johnson called it "perhaps the most lamebrain, ham-fisted and insulting movie of the year".
Mark Kermode gave a fairly positive review of the film in The Guardian, comparing it to Wag the Dog and Local Hero, saying: "there's something reassuringly nostalgic about Irresistible... Stewart is back on home ground, opening with a TV show-style segment about the falsehoods of the 'spin room' ('I look forward to lying to you in the future') that we now take for granted."
See also
References
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 19, 2019). "Chris Cooper Joins Steve Carell & Rose Byrne In Jon Stewart's Campaign Trail Comedy 'Irresistible' For Focus & Plan B". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
- "IRRESISTIBLE (15)". British Board of Film Classification. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
- ^ Anthony D'Alessandro (June 30, 2020). "'Zootopia' Leads At Weekend Box Office Still Hampered By COVID-19". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- ^ "Irresistible (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- Jon Stewart, Steve Carell Team for Political Satire 'Irresistible'
- Exclusive: Rose Byrne in Talks to Join Steve Carell in Jon Stewart's 'Irresistible'
- N'Duka, Amanda (April 10, 2019). "Mackenzie Davis Joins Jon Stewart-Directed Comedy 'Irresistible'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- Topher Grace Joins Jon Stewart's Political Pic 'Irresistible'
- Messing, Debra (April 22, 2019). "I am so lucky. I get to act with this funny guy and be directed by this OTHER funny guy. #agoodday #movielife #stevecarell #johnstewert". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- Will Sasso & CJ Wilson Join Jon Stewart Comedy 'Irresistible' With Steve Carell & Rose Byrne
- Kroll, Justin (2019-05-09). "Natasha Lyonne Joins Jon Stewart's Political Drama 'Irresistible' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
- Hermanns, Grant (May 9, 2019). "Jon Stewart's Irresistible Adds Natasha Lyonne". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- N'Duka, Amanda (June 3, 2019). "Brent Sexton Joins Jon Stewart's' Irresistible' Film; Patricia De Leon Cast In 'Centurion the Dancing Stallion'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- Tyler, Jacob (March 14, 2019). "EXCLUSIVE: STEVE CARELL & JON STEWART'S 'IRRESISTIBLE' CURRENTLY EYEING APRIL 22ND PRODUCTION START IN ATLANTA". Omega Underground. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 22, 2020). "Jon Stewart Political Comedy 'Irresistible' Heading To PVOD This Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- "Irresistible Showtimes". Santikos Theatres. June 23, 2020. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- Hipes, Patrick (January 22, 2020). "Jon Stewart's Next Movie 'Irresistible' Gets Focus Features Release Date". deadline.com. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- "Jon Stewart's Political Comedy 'Irresistible' to Debut on Demand". Variety. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- Roweles, Dustin (June 28, 2020). "Weekend Box Office: Jon Stewart, Will Ferrell, And The Most-Watched Movies At Home Over The Weekend". Uproxx. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- Brueggemann, Tom (June 29, 2020). "'King of Staten Island' Continues Universal's VOD Dominance as 'Eurovision' Scores at Netflix". IndieWire. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- Brueggemann, Tom (July 7, 2020). "'Hamilton' Rules Disney+ Over July 4, but the VOD Success Story Is Rod Lurie's 'The Outpost'". IndieWire. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- Roweles, Dustin (July 5, 2020). "Weekend Box Office: 'Hamilton' And The Most-Watched Movies At Home Over The Weekend". Uproxx. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Brueggemann, Tom (July 13, 2020). "'The Old Guard' Opens to Number One on Netflix as 'The Outpost' Flies High Again on VOD". IndieWire. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- Pamela McClintock (October 23, 2020). "Skipping Theaters? Hollywood Studios Weigh Risks of PVOD". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- "Irresistible (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
- "Irresistible Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- Gleiberman, Owen (June 22, 2020). "Jon Stewart's 'Irresistible': Film Review". Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Ehrlich, David (June 22, 2020). "'Irresistible' Review: Jon Stewart Returns with a Toothless Political Satire Out of Touch with Trump Era". IndieWire. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Johnson, G. Allen. Review: 'Irresistible,' Jon Stewart's political comedy, is one of the most insulting movies of the year, San Francisco Chronicle, June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Kermode, Mark Irresistible review – subtle satire from Jon Stewart, The Guardian, June 28, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
External links
Categories:- 2020 films
- 2020 comedy films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s political comedy films
- 2020s political satire films
- American political comedy films
- English-language political comedy films
- Films about elections
- Films directed by Jon Stewart
- Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films produced by Dede Gardner
- Films produced by Jeremy Kleiner
- Films set in Washington, D.C.
- Films set in Wisconsin
- Films shot in Atlanta
- Focus Features films
- Plan B Entertainment films
- 2020s American films